Background:
In summary a RigB is a CNC machined alloy body for certain cartridges which holds the generator very precisely/securely and allows for easy & firm attachment to the headshell with its threaded mounting holes. It is fitted in place of the standard body which is often made of plastic for reasons of economy. Coupling the generator more rigidly to the arm/headshell means that more of the movement of the stylus can be translated into the signal output from the cartridge (rather than being lost in movement at the interfaces of generator/cartridge body or cartridge body/headshell). This means that what you hear reproduced is a little closer to what was actually recorded... There’s nothing magic about this, all the top cartridges have precision machined metal bodies. The RigB brings this to more affordable ones too..
This new product (the RigB 3R) is a variation of the RigB 5 which can accommodate cartridges from the Audio Technica VM500 and VM700 ranges (plus a few others besides). It has the same CNC machined and anodised body, and a third mounting hole at the front which is positioned to ensure that it locates the cartridge at precisely the correct forward/back position in the slots to give stylus alignment to Rega geometry.
It is supplied with the three anodised alloy screws and, thanks to a small stepped washer (included) it can be used with the older arms which have the larger headshell hole as well as the later ones which have an M2.5 clearance hole.
Availability and Pricing:
Initially, we will be offering the RigB 3R in colour options of Red or Black only (in each case, with matching screws included):
1) The RigB 3R will be available in kit form (like the RigB 5) for people who already have a VM500 or VM700 series cartridge and wish to fit it themselves. The kit will be £139 and includes a RigB 3R, a sachet of two-pack epoxy adhesive and the three anodised alloy screws with plastic washers. Customers who would like us to fit it can send us their cartridge (minus stylus) and we will fit the RigB 3R for the same price.
2) The RigB 3R will also be available as a complete cartridge and we expect the fantastic VM540ML to be the most popular choice. A new VM540ML with RigB 3R will be £339.
The prices mentioned above include UK shipping (with a small addition for locations anywhere else in the world).
Fitting a RigB 3R modified cartridge:
This could hardly be simpler: Attach the four cartridge tags and then mount the cartridge with the forward screw ensuring correct positioning and the other two finding their own position within the slots (this can all be done with the removeable stylus assembly safely out of the way). Then clip on the stylus assembly, set the tracking force (2.0g) and the bias and you are away! I’m sure some people will ask whether the arm height needs to be adjusted. Well; firstly, the RigB 3R preserves the geometry of the standard Audio Technica cartridge and Rega are happy to fit another AT cartridge with similar geometry to their turntables (The Rega Carbon - which is made by AT). Secondly, Rega are quick to point out that having an arm a little off ‘horizontal’ doesn’t really make any difference (read what Roy Gandy has to say on the subject). And finally, we would point out that the choice of plater mat probably has a bigger effect on ‘arm height’ than anything else, and anyone tempted to add a couple of mm of shims under their arm would do better to swap out a thicker cheap mat and invest in one of the thin and exceptionally well made mats by Collaro such as the Mat Black, or the new White mat which is the same as the one specified on Rega’s high-end turntable: the Naia.
Ordering:
1) To order/reserve a RigB 3R in KIT FORM, please email our colleague Maryna on
maryna@iptaudio.co.uk and she will be taking payment and shipping the kits out.
2) To order a COMPLETE CARTRIDGE (eg VM540ML with RigB 3R), please email me at:
Simonj@IPTAudio.co.uk
And don’t forget to say where you are located and give your choice of colour (Red or Black)
Based on the level of interest so far, we expect demand to be high so please bear with us… We have the first batch of these in stock now and expect to start shipping out orders from the 1st July.